Akademiks says some of rap’s biggest names are helping bankroll the Lil Durk defense as the Chicago rapper fights for his freedom in federal court.
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During an August 30 livestream, Akademiks broke down what he says he has heard about Lil Durk’s legal fees, claiming Ye contributed $250,000 while Drake is prepared to cover attorney Brian Steel’s bill. Akademiks also named 21 Savage and Lil Baby as artists who have reportedly contributed money.“Ye sent in a quarter-million dollars. Quarter-million to Durk Fund to help pay for these lawyers,” Akademiks said during the stream.
Ye appeared at the downtown Los Angeles courthouse on August 27 while Durk’s trial was underway. Outside the courthouse, Ye was also seen holding a “Free Durk” shirt.
When the conversation turned to Drake, Akademiks claimed the Toronto star is helping with a potentially much bigger piece of the Lil Durk legal fees. According to Ak, Drake is covering whatever Steel ultimately charges for representing Durk.
“I heard Drizzy Drake is paying the bill for whatever Steel is gonna charge,” Akademiks said, before adding, “So if it’s a million, Drake holding it down.”
Baller Alert has not independently verified that Drake, Ye, or any of the other artists Akademiks named made the payments he described.
Steel’s involvement with Durk’s defense, however, is confirmed. The federal court’s August 24 calendar lists Brian Steel alongside Christy O’Connor, Marissa Goldberg, and Drew Findling as attorneys representing Durk during his federal trial.
Akademiks also claimed 21 Savage contributed financially, although he said he did not know the amount.
“I heard 21 Savage came through, blessed it, blessed it,” Akademiks said. “Don’t know how much.”
Lil Baby was another name Ak mentioned while discussing Lil Durk legal fees, although he characterized Baby’s alleged contributions as smaller payments. Akademiks claimed Baby has sent amounts such as $5,000 or $10,000 at a time.
The more complicated part of Akademiks’ report involved Young Thug and Meek Mill. Ak said his sources told him neither artist had contributed.
“They said Thug ain’t really come through with nothing, and they say Meek ain’t come through with nothing,” Akademiks said, repeatedly stressing, “That’s what they told me.”
Akademiks also made it clear the information did not come directly from Durk’s camp.
That claim about Young Thug conflicts with something Thug publicly said in 2025. Thug previously posted that he was responsible for sending Steel to help Durk and indicated he was paying for the attorney himself. Steel formally became part of Durk’s legal team in 2026. Neither version of who is paying Steel’s bill has been independently established.
The discussion comes as Durk, born Durk Banks, is currently standing trial in Los Angeles over allegations tied to a deadly 2022 shooting.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, federal prosecutors allege Durk conspired with associates to target rapper Quando Rondo, whose legal name is Tyquian Bowman. Prosecutors claim the alleged plot was retaliation connected to the November 2020 killing of Durk’s close friend and OTF artist King Von.
Federal prosecutors allege several men tracked Bowman in Los Angeles on August 19, 2022, before gunfire erupted near the Beverly Center. Bowman survived, but his cousin Saviay’a Robinson was fatally shot.
Durk has pleaded not guilty. According to City News Service via MyNewsLA, the current case includes charges involving conspiracy to commit murder for hire resulting in death, stalking related offenses, and a firearms count. His attorneys maintain that Durk did not order or participate in the alleged plot.
With the federal trial now underway and Durk facing the possibility of life in prison if convicted, Akademiks’ claims have put a new spotlight on the financial support surrounding his defense. Whether every reported contribution can eventually be confirmed remains unclear, but Ak’s account suggests some of the biggest names in rap are quietly putting real money behind Durk’s legal fight.
